Finalists named for Business Woman of the Year

The Tempe Chamber of Commerce has announced three finalists for the 2014 Business Woman of the Year award. The recipient will be honored at the 19th Annual Women in Business Conference May 21 at the PERA Club, 1 E. Continental Dr., in Tempe.

The award was established to recognize an outstanding business woman who has positively impacted the Tempe community. The finalists have achieved excellence in their fields, displayed leadership in the community, served as positive role models and are active in programs within the community and the Tempe Chamber.

“The Business Woman of the Year award recognizes the valuable contributions that the candidates have made to the business community and to the Tempe Chamber of Commerce. Their hard work and dedication have made an admirable and positive impact that we are proud to recognize,” said Mary Ann Miller, president and CEO of the Tempe Chamber.

The three finalists are Kate Hanley, Executive Director, Tempe Community Council; Nancy Kinnard, Vice President/Executive Relationship Manager, National Bank of Arizona; and Dr. Christine K. Wilkinson, Senior Vice President and Secretary of the University and President, ASU Alumni Association, Arizona State University.

Kate Hanley is Executive Director of the Tempe Community Council (TCC) and lead administrator of Tempe Community Foundation. She has earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in family studies, public policy and public administration. Hanley began her professional career flying all over the world, planning and implementing international health programs and lobbying for maternal and health concerns at both the local and national levels, but she found her dream job serving the needs of her neighbors in Tempe.

Nancy Kinnard is Vice President/Executive Relationship Manager at National Bank of Arizona, having previously served as branch manager of the Tempe, Friendship Village and Carefree branches. Kinnard is a member of the Tempe Chamber’s Women in Business Council and has been a mentor in its Mentoring Program for the past two years. She is the director of the Women of Scottsdale; sits on the board for National Bank of Arizona’s Women’s Financial Group; and is a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners.

Dr. Christine K. Wilkinson is Senior Vice President and Secretary of ASU and President of the ASU Alumni Association. Dr. Wilkinson’s current involvement in the community includes serving on the Valley of the Sun United Way Board, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona Board, the Governance Committee for the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center and more. She has received the University’s Award of Merit and was selected as one of Arizona’s 48 Most Intriguing Women for the Arizona Centennial Legacy Project.

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